Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,338 – 6,384

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,843 separate alleged incidents.

1,145 – 1,394
children likely killed
632 – 766
women likely killed
6,544
likely injured
3,435
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,282 – 24,392
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,843 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,338 – 6,384
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,344 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
727 – 848
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
457 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,113 – 17,043
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,027 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
104 – 117
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
15 seperate alleged incidents
4809 incidents
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Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1133

Location

Tal Adeh, Idlib, Syria
تلعادة
Between five and nine civilians were killed, including children, and between 10 and 15 more were injured from two air raids that targeted the town of Tal Adeh in the Idlib countryside. Baladi News published a video depicting volunteers searching the rubble for survivors of the airstrikes. Local sources were conflicted as to who was…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

12 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1134

Location

Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
تير معلة
At least one civilian was killed and between seven and 15 others were wounded from airstrikes on the village of Teir Ma’ala, specifically a makeshift hospital in the village. The majority of sources attributed the attacks to Russian warplanes, but @Talbisah2011 blamed regime jets. A local media activist named Kenan Abu Osama described the incident: “I…

Summary

Published
12 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1126

Location

Al Dana, Idlib, Syria
الدانا
Seven civilians were killed and as many as dozens more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Dana, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. LCCSY put the death toll at 11. Many sources attributed the airstrikes to regime planes, including Baladi, the…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Codes

CS292 RS1127

Location

Ar Raqqah, Raqqa, Syria
الرقة‎
In a major civilian casualty event, between 13 and 30 civilians were killed and up to 70 more injured from airstrikes from either a Russian or a Coalition strike on al Idkhar neighbourhood in Raqqa City. Both belligerents report bombing in the area. Raqaa is Being Slaughtered initially reported on the morning of August 11th:…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1128

Location

Bazza square, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
ﺣﻠﺐ
Reports estimated that between eight and 10 civilians were killed and an additional five to 13 more wounded, including two children, in airstrikes on Bazza square in Old Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed the regime for the event, though one blamed Russia and a significant number of others didn’t identify…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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Incident Date

11 August 2016

Incident Code

RS1129

Location

Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria
الراموسة
At least one civilian was killed and four others were injured in airstrikes and artillery fire on the Ramousa neighbourhood in Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian aircraft, which reportedly carried out eight air raids, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. Syrian Network for Human Rights…

Summary

Published
11 August 2016
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